Stitched nonwoven fabric utilizing a foam layer and a fibrous layer

ABSTRACT

A stitched, multilayer, nonwoven fabric adaptable for use as bed coverings, garments and the like and characterized by providing different outer surface characteristics. The fabric comprises a first layer of nonwoven textile fibers oriented in the widthwise direction of the fabric and forming one outer face of the fabric for providing textile fiber characteristics, a second layer of a compressible, resilient foam material superimposed on and contiguous with the first layer and forming the other outer face of the fabric for providing foam characteristics, and elongate, spaced-apart rows of stitches penetrating the superimposed layers for stitch-bonding together the fibers of the first layer and for stitch-bonding together the superimposed layers and extending in the lengthwise direction of the fabric. The stitched, nonwoven fabric may include outer treated surfaces for providing desired surface finishes thereon.

[ Jan. 18,1972

United States Patent Hughes 3,496,054 2/1970Baigas,Jr............................. 3,405,674 10/1968 161/64X 161/50X161/80X [54] STITCHED NONWOVEN FABRIC UTILIZING A FOAM LAYER AND ACoates et a1... FIBROUS LAYERv 3,395,065 7/1968 Owen, Sr.

[72] lnventor: George II. Hughes, Asheville, NC. Primary ExaminerPhilipDier [73] Assignee:

Attorney- Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson Beacon ManufacturingCompany, Swannanoa,N.C.

ABSTRACT A stitched, multilayer, nonwoven fabric adaptable for use asbed coverings, garments and the like and characterized by providingdifferent outer surface characteristics. The fabric comprises a firstlayer of nonwoven textile fibers oriented in the widthwise direction ofthe fabric and forming one outer B32) 7 face of the fabric for providingtextile fiber characteristics, a 16 I50 62, 6 4 159.160; second layer ofa compressible, resilient foam material su- 5/3 34 R perimposed on andcontiguous vvith the first layer and form ing the other outer face ofthe fabric for providing foam characteristics, and elongate,spaced-apart rows of stitches penetrating the superimposed layers forstitch-bonding together the fibers of the first layer and forstitch-bonding together the superimposed layers and extending in thelengthwise direction of 161/62 x the fabric. The stitched, nonwovenfabric may include outer 1 treatedsurfaces for providing desired surfacefinishes thereon.

[22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 3,755

161/62, 161/64,161/159 [51] Int. [58] Field of [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,725,835 12/1955Mather................................ 3,410,748 11/1968 Blue..........

3,329,552 7/1967 Hughes, 3,392,078 7/1968 161 50 9 Claims, 6 DrawingFigures PA'TENTED JAN: 8 1972 SHEET 1 0F 2 5 m0 mu H H E G R O E GATTORNEYS PATENTEDJMMM. 3,635,785

SHKU 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE H. HucaHas ATTORNEYS STITCIIED NONWOVENFABRIC UTILIZING A FOAM LAYER AND A FIBIROUS LAYER This inventionrelates to a stitched, multilayer, nonwoven fabric.

It is the object of this invention to provide such a fabric which isparticularly adaptable for use as bed coverings, garments and the likeand which is characterized by providing different outer surfacecharacteristics.

by this invention, it has been found that the above object may beaccomplished by providing a fabric comprising a first layer of athree-dimensional, self-sustaining batt of nonwoven, textile fibers. Thefibers of the first layer are oriented in the widthwise direction of thefabric to provide strength and stability to the fabric in the widthwisedirection. The first layer forms one outer face of the fabric. Thefabric further comprises a second layer of three-dimensional,compressible, resilient foam material having an integral networkextending in random directions throughout the second layer to define amultiplicity of cells. The second layer is superimposed on andcontiguous with the first layer and forms the other outer face of thefabric. The fabric further comprises elongate, spacedapart rows ofswitches penetrating the superimposed layers for stitch-bonding togetherthe individual fibers of the first layer and for stitch-boning togetherthe superimposed layers to form the stitched, nonwoven fabric. The rowsof stitches extend in thelengthwise direction throughout the length ofthe fabric.

Preferably, the rows of stitches utilized in the stitched, nonwovenfabric of this invention are formed from at least two continuous yarnsand have chain stitch loop components on one face of the fabric andinterconnected diagonally extending and straight-line stitch componentson the other face of the fabric. The chain stitch loop components areformed from both of the yarns and the diagonally extending stitchcomponents are formed from one of the yarns and the straight-line stitchcomponents are formed from the other of the yarns. This type of stitchconstruction, in addition to providing added strength to the fabric,will provide an interlocked stitch construction which will not rave] ordislocate itself during use of the fabric for its intended purpose.

The above novel stitched, nonwoven fabric is adaptable for use as bedcoverings, garments and the like and may include desirable surfacetreatments on one or both faces thereof to adapt the same for such uses.While specific combinations of surface treatments are illustrated in thedrawings and will be described specifically hereinafter, it is to beunderstood that this invention is intended to cover various surfacetreatments of the novel nonwoven fabric defined herein.

These surface treatments may include an outer treated surface on the oneface of the fabric formed by the first layer of nonwoven fibers. Thisouter treated surface may comprise raised, napped fibers extending fromthe first layer and being of sufficient height and density to cover therows of stitches on the one face of the fabric.

The fabric may also include an outer treated surface on the one face ofthe fabric formed by the first layer of nonwoven fibers which is formedby the rows of stitches comprising closely spaced-apart, parallel,exposed rows of chain stitch loop portions on the one face of the fabricand compressing the one face of the fabric along the rows to formcorresponding depressed areas therealong. The portions of the face ofthe fabric between the rows of chain stitch loop portions aresubstantially uncompressed and define spaced, parallel, raised ribs sothat a ribbed surface with exposed rows of chain stitch loop portionstherebetween is provided on the one face of the fabric.

The surface treatments may include an outer treated surface on the otherface of the fabric formed by the second layer of foam material. Thisouter treated surface may comprise upstanding, flocked fibers secured tothe foam material and being of sufficient height and density to coverthe rows of stitches on the other face of the fabric. Alternatively,this outer treated surface on the other face of the fabric formed by thesecond layer of foam material may comprise upstanding,

flocked fibers secured to the foam material and being disposed in apatterned arrangement thereon.

Further, the above various outer treated surfaces on both faces of thefabric may be used alone or in different combinations, as will be morefully described below in connection with the various illustrations inthe drawings.

It may be seen, from the above general description and from the morespecific description to follow, that the stitched, nonwoven fabric ofthis invention utilizes the inherent features and advantages of a firstlayer of nonwoven fibers oriented in the widthwise direction of thefabric and forming one face of the fabric for providing textile fibercharacteristics to the one face of the fabric and for providing strengthand stability in the widthwise direction to the fabric. Moreover, thestitched fabric utilizes a second layer of compressible, resilient foammaterial which forms the other face of the fabric and provides improvedhand, drapability, compressibility, resilience, washability, bulk andinsulating qualities to the fabric and provides foam characteristics tothe other face of the fabric. Ad ditionally, the stitched, nonwovenfabric utilizes the advantages of a stitch construction whichstitch-bonds together the individual fibers of the first layer andstitch-bonds together the two layers of the fabric to each other forforming an integrated, multilayer fabric. These stitches are disposed inthe lengthwise direction of the fabric for providing strength andstability to the fabric in the lengthwise direction.

Some of the features and objects of this invention having been stated,other objects and features will appear as the description proceeds, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially exploded, broken away,perspective view of the obverse side of the stitched, nonwoven fabric ofthis invention illustrating the fabric in the two basic stages of itsconstruction;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially exploded, broken away,perspective view of the reverse side of the stitched, nonwoven fabric ofFIG. 1 illustrating the fabric in the two basic stages of itsconstruction;

FIG. 3 is a reduced, perspective view with one corner turned up of thenonwoven fabric of FIGS. 1 and 2 having a particular surface treatmenton both faces of the fabric;

FIG. 4 is a view, like FIG. 3, illustrating different surface treatmentson the faces of the fabric;

FIG. 5 is a view, like FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrating different surfacetreatments on the faces of the fabric; and

FIG. 6 is a view, like FIGS. 3-5, illustrating yet further surfacetreatments on the faces of the fabric.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. I and 2 theobverse and reverse sides of the stitched, nonwoven fabric constructedaccording to this invention and generally indicated by the referencenumeral 10. FIGS. 1 and 2, as described above, are broken away andinclude generally exploded portions illustrating the two layers of thecomposite fabric and portions illustrating the obverse and reverse sidesof the two layers of the composite fabric after the same has beenstitch-bonded together.

The stitched, nonwoven fabric 10 comprises a first layer 11 comprising athree-dimensional, self-sustaining batt of nonwoven, textile fiberswhich forms one face of the fabric 10 for providing textile fibercharacteristics to the one face. The individual fibers of the firstlayer 11 are oriented in the widthwise direction of the fabric toprovide strength and stability to the fabric in the widthwise direction.The nonwoven fibers utilized in the first layer 11 may be any suitablesynthetic fibers including viscose, acrylic, polyester and polyamidefibers, or natural fibers including cotton and wool, or other textilefibers, or blends thereof.

The stitched, nonwoven fabric 10 further includes a second layer 12 ofthree-dimensional, compressible, resilient cellular, resinous foammaterial having an integral network extending in random directionsthroughout to define a multiplicity of cells for providing strength andstability to the fabric 10 in random directions. The foam material forthis second layer 12 may be a polyurethane foam, an ester foam or anysuitable type of foam material which provides the above-discusseddesired characteristics in the fabric 10. The second layer 12 of foammaterial is superimposed on and contiguous with the first layer 11 andforms the other outer face of the fabric for providing foamcharacteristics to the other outer face.

The composite nonwoven fabric 10 further includes elongate, spaced-apartrows of stitches penetrating the superimposed layers 11 and 12 forstitch-bonding together the individual fibers of the first layer 11 andfor stitch-bonding together the superimposed layers 11 and 12 to form acomposite, integrated, multilayer fabric 10. The rows of stitches 20extend in the lengthwise direction throughout the length of the fabricfor providing strength and stability to the fabric 10 in the lengthwisedirection.

The rows of stitches 20 are preferably spaced-apart a distance less thanthe length of the individual fibers in the first layer 11 to insure thedesired stitch-bonding of the fibers therein and to provide strength andstability to the fabric 10. Each of the rows of stitches 20 are formedfrom two continuous yarns Yl and Y-2 and have chain stitch loopcomponcnts 21 on the obverse face of the fabric 10 and interconnectedstraight-line stitch components 22 and diagonally extending stitchcomponents 23 on the reverse face of the fabric. The stitch loopcomponents 21 are formed from both of the yarns Y-l and Y-2 and thestraight-line stitch components 22 are formed from one of the yarns Y-lonly and the diagonally extending stitch components 23 are formed fromthe other of the yarns Y-2 only. This arrangement of stitch componentsprovides an interlocked stitch construction which will not rave] ordislocate itself from the stitched, nonwoven fabric 10. The yarns Y-land Y-2 utilized to form the rows of stitches 20 and stitch components21, 22 and 23 may be of various natural or synthetic fibers or blends,but continuous filament synthetic yarns are advantageous to obtainrelatively high strength and to prevent breakage in the manufacturingoperation and to also give good tensile strength to the finished fabric.

For preparing the first layer 11 of nonwoven fibers with the fibersthereof oriented in a generally widthwise direction, reference may behad to applicants prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,552, issued July 4, 1967,wherein suitable carding or garnetting apparatus, cross-lapping andconveying apparatus are illustrated. Also, for a disclosure of suitableapparatus for forming the rows of stitches 20 including the stitchcomponents 21, 22 and 23, reference may be had to applicants prior US.Pat. No. 3,365,9l8, issued Jan. 30, 1968, for a disclosure of same.

The thus formed stitched, nonwoven fabric may include suitable outertreated surfaces on the outer faces of the fabric 10 for providingdesired characteristics adapting the fabric 10 for use as bed coverings,garments and the like, As illustrated in FIG. 3, a first outer treatedsurface is provided on the one face of the fabric 10 formed by the firstlayer 11 of nonwoven fibers. This first outer treated surface comprisesraised, napped fibers 30 extending from the first layer 11 and being ofsufficient height and density to cover the rows of stitches 20 and thechain stitch loop components 21 on the one face of the fabric.Additionally, a second outer treated surface is provided on the otherface of the fabric formed by the second layer 12 of foam material. Thissecond outer treated surface comprises upstanding, flocked fibers 35secured to the foam material and being of sufficient height and densityto cover the rows of stitches 20 and the straight-line stitch components22 and the diagonally extending stitch components 23 along with the foammaterial forming the second layer 12.

The above-described first treated surface comprised of raised, nappedfibers 30 may be formed by any suitable napping machine which iscommonly used in the textile industry. Also, the second outer treatedsurface comprising raised, flocked fibers 35 may be formed by anyconventional electrostatic flocking apparatus and may be secured to thefoam surface by any suitable adhesive or the like. These operations areconventional in the textile industry and it is not believed that furtherexplanation herein is required.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fabric 10 may include a first outer treatedsurface on the one face of the fabric 10 formed by the first layer 11 ofnonwoven fibers. This first outer treated surface is formed by the rowsof stitches 20 comprising closely spaced-apart, parallel, exposed rowsof chain stitch loop portions 21 on the one face of the fabric forcompressing the one face of the fabric along the rows to formcorresponding depressed areas 40 therealong. The portions of the face ofthe fabric between the rows of chain stitch loop portions 21 aresubstantially uncompressed and define spaced, parallel, raised ribs 41so that a ribbed surface treatment with exposed rows of chain stitchloop portions therebetween is provided on the one face of the fabric. Asecond outer treated surface on the other face of the fabric formed bythe second layer 12 of foam material is provided. This second outertreated surface is the same as the second outer treated surface on thefabric 10 of FIG. 3 and comprises upstanding, flocked fibers 35 securedto the foam material and being of sufficient height and density to coverthe rows ofstitches on the other face of the fabric 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the fabric 10 includes a first outer treatedsurface on the one face of the fabric formed by the first layer 11 ofnonwoven fibers. This first outer treated surface is the same as thefirst outer treated surface illustrated in FIG. 4 and is formed by therows of stitches 20 comprising closely spaced-apart, parallel, exposedrows of chain stitch loop portions 21 on the one face of the fabric forcompressing the one face of the fabric along the rows to formcorresponding depressed areas 40 therealong. Likewise, the portions ofthe face of the fabric between the rows of chain stitch loop portions 21are substantially uncompressed and define spaced, parallel, raised ribsso that a ribbed surface with exposed rows of chain stitch loop portions21 therebetween is provided on the one face of the fabric. The fabric 10of FIG. 5 further includes a second outer treated surface on the otherface of the fabric formed by the second layer 12 of foam material. Thissecond outer treated surface comprises upstanding, flocked fibers 45secured to the foam material and being disposed in a patternedarrangement thereon. The particular flowered pattern illustrated in FIG.5 is merely exemplary of a type of pattern which may be formed and it isto be understood that any desired patterned arrangement is within thescope of this invention. Patterned flocking may be accomplished in anyconventional manner and such is well understood by those with ordinaryskill in the textile art. Accordingly, further explanation herein is notdeemed necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the stitched, nonwoven fabric 10 thereinincludes a first outer treated surface on the one face of the fabricformed by the first layer 11 of nonwoven fibers. This first outertreated surface is the same as the first outer treated surface of thefabric of FIG. 3 and comprises raised, napped fibers 30 extending fromthe first layer and being of sufficient height and density to cover therows of stitches 20 on the one face of the fabric. The fabric 10 of FIG.6 further includes a second outer treated surface on the other face ofthe fabric formed by the second layer of foam material. This secondouter treated surface is of the same form as the second outer treatedsurface of the fabric 10 of FIG. 5 and comprises upstanding, flockedfibers 45 secured to the foam material and being disposed in a patternedarrangement thereon.

Thus, it may be seen that this invention has provided a novel andimproved stitched, nonwoven fabric adapted for use as bed coverings,garments and the like and which provides different outer surfacecharacteristics and which utilizes the individual characteristics andfeatures of the two layers used therein and a stitch construction forintegrating the layers into a composite fabric. This improved fabricutilizes various combinations of surface treatments for providingdesired finishes on the fabric.

In the drawings and specification, there have been set forth preferredembodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

ll. A stitched, multilayer, nonwoven fabric adaptable for use as bedcoverings, garments and the like and characterized by providingdifferent outer surface characteristics, said fabric comprising:

a first layer comprising a three-dimensional, self-sustaining batt ofnonwoven, textile fibers, said fibers of said first layer being orientedin the widthwise direction of said fabric to provide strengthandstability to said fabric in the widthwise direction, said first layerforming one outer face of said fabric for providing textile fibercharacteristics to said one outer face;

a second layer comprising three-dimensional, compressible,

resilient foam material having an integral network extending in randomdirections throughout said second layer to define a multiplicity ofcells for providing improved hand drapability, compressibility,resilience, washability; bulk and insulating qualities to said fabricand for providing strength to said fabric in random directions, saidsecond layer being superimposed on and being contiguous with said firstlayer and forming the other outer face of said fabric for providing foamcharacteristics to said other outer face; and

elongate, spaced-apart rows of stitches penetrating said superimposedlayers for stitch-bonding together the individual fibers of said firstlayer and for stitch-bonding together said superimposed layers to formsaid stitched, nonwoven fabric, said rows of stitches extending in thelengthwise direction throughout the length of said fabric for providingstrength and stability to said fabric in the lengthwise direction, eachof said rows of stitches is formed from at least two continuous yarnsand has chain stitch loop components on said one face of said fabric andinterconnected diagonally extending and straight-line stitch componentson said other face of said fabric and in which said chain stitch loopcomponents are formed from both of said yarns and in which saiddiagonally extending stitch components are formed from one of said yarnsand saidstraight-line stitch components are formed from the other ofsaid yarns.

2. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabricfurther includes an outer treated surface on said one face of saidfabric formed by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, said outer treatedsurface comprising raised, napped fibers extending from said first layerand being of sufficient height and density to cover said rows ofstitches on said one face of said fabric.

3. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim I, in which said fabricfurther includes an outer treated surface on said one face of saidfabric formed by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, said outer treatedsurface being formed by said rows of stitches comprising closelyspaced-apart, parallel, exposed rows of chain stitch loop portions onsaid one face of said fabric and compressing said one face of saidfabric along said rows to form corresponding depressed areas therealong,the portions of said face of said fabric between said rows of chainstitch loop portions being substantially uncompressed and v definingspaced, parallel, raised ribs so that a ribbed surface with exposed rowsof chain stitch loop portions therebetween is provided on said one faceof said fabric.

4. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabricfurther includes an outer treated surface on said other face of saidfabric formed by said second layer of foam material, said outer treatedsurface comprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured to said foammaterial and being of sufficient height and density to cover said rowsof stitches on said other face of said fabric.

5. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim I, in which said fabricfurther includes an outer treated surface on said other face of saidfabric formed by said second layer of foam material, said outer treatedsurface comprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured to said foammaterial and being disposed in a patterned arrangement thereon.

6. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabricfurther includes a first outer treated surface on said one face of saidfabric by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, said first outer treatedsurface comprising raised, napped fibers extending from said first layerand being of sufficient height and density to cover said rows ofstitches on said one face of said fabric; and a second outer treatedsurface on said other face of said fabric formed by said second layer offoam material, said second outer treated surface comprising upstanding,flocked fibers secured to said foam' material and being of sufficientheight and density to cover said rows of stitches on said other face ofsaid fabric.

7. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabricfurther includes a first outer treated surface on said one face of saidfabric formed by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, said first outertreated surface being formed by said rows of stitches comprising closelyspaced-apart, parallel, exposed rows of chain stitch loop portions onsaid one face of said fabric and compressing said one face of saidfabric along said rows to form corresponding depressed areas therealong,the portions of said face of said fabric between said rows of chainstitch loop portions being substantially uncompressed and definingspaced, parallel, raised ribs so that a ribbed surface with exposed rowsof chain stitch loop portions therebetween is provided on said one faceof said fabric; and a second outer treated surface on said other face ofsaid fabric formed by said second layer of foam material, said secondouter treated surface comprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured tosaid foam material and being of sufficient height and density to coversaid rows of stitches on said other face of said fabric,

8. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabricfurther includes a first outer treated surface on said one face of saidfabric formed by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, said first outertreated surface being formed by said rows of stitches comprising closelyspaced-apart, parallel, exposed rows of chain stitch loop portions onsaid one face of said fabric and compressing said one face of saidfabric along said rows to form corresponding depressed areas therealong,the portions of said face of said fabric between said rows of chainstitch loop portions being substantially uncompressed and definingspaced, parallel, raised ribs so that a ribbed surface with exposed rowsof chain stitch loop portions therebetween is provided on said one faceof said fabric; and a second outer treated surface on said other face ofsaid fabric formed by said second layer of foam material, said secondouter treated surface comprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured tosaid foam material and being disposed in a patterned arrangementthereon.

9. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabricfurther includes a first outer treated surface on said one face of saidfabric formed by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, said first outertreated surface comprising raised, napped fibers extending from saidfirst layer and being of sufficient height and density to cover saidrows of stitches on said one face of said fabric; and a second outertreated surface on said other face of said fabric formed by said secondlayer of foam material, said second outer treated surface comprisingupstanding, flocked fibers secured to said foam material and beingdisposed in a patterned arrangement thereon.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORECTIN Patent No. 3, 635,785 Dated Januarv 18, 1972 Inventor(S) George H, Hughes It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 22, "switches" should be -stitchesline 24, "boning"should be -bonding-- Column 6, line 9, after "fabric" insert --formed.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. v ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents F ORM POJOSO. (10-69)

1. A stitched, multilayer, nonwoven fabric adaptable for use as bedcoverings, garments and the like and characterized by providingdifferent outer surface characteristics, said fabric comprising: a firstlayer comprising a three-dimensional, self-sustaining batt of nonwoven,textile fibers, said fibers of said first layer being oriented in thewidthwise direction of said fabric to provide strength and stability tosaid fabric in the widthwise direction, said first layer forming oneouter face of said fabric for providing textile fiber characteristics tosaid one outer face; a second layer comprising three-dimensional,compressible, resilient foam material having an integral networkextending in random directions throughout said second layer to define amultiplicity of cells for providing improved hand drapability,compressibility, resilience, washability, bulk and insulating qualitiesto said fabric and for providing strength to said fabric in randomdirections, saiD second layer being superimposed on and being contiguouswith said first layer and forming the other outer face of said fabricfor providing foam characteristics to said other outer face; andelongate, spaced-apart rows of stitches penetrating said superimposedlayers for stitch-bonding together the individual fibers of said firstlayer and for stitch-bonding together said superimposed layers to formsaid stitched, nonwoven fabric, said rows of stitches extending in thelengthwise direction throughout the length of said fabric for providingstrength and stability to said fabric in the lengthwise direction, eachof said rows of stitches is formed from at least two continuous yarnsand has chain stitch loop components on said one face of said fabric andinterconnected diagonally extending and straight-line stitch componentson said other face of said fabric and in which said chain stitch loopcomponents are formed from both of said yarns and in which saiddiagonally extending stitch components are formed from one of said yarnsand said straight-line stitch components are formed from the other ofsaid yarns.
 2. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which saidfabric further includes an outer treated surface on said one face ofsaid fabric formed by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, said outertreated surface comprising raised, napped fibers extending from saidfirst layer and being of sufficient height and density to cover saidrows of stitches on said one face of said fabric.
 3. A nonwoven fabric,as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabric further includes an outertreated surface on said one face of said fabric formed by said firstlayer of nonwoven fibers, said outer treated surface being formed bysaid rows of stitches comprising closely spaced-apart, parallel, exposedrows of chain stitch loop portions on said one face of said fabric andcompressing said one face of said fabric along said rows to formcorresponding depressed areas therealong, the portions of said face ofsaid fabric between said rows of chain stitch loop portions beingsubstantially uncompressed and defining spaced, parallel, raised ribs sothat a ribbed surface with exposed rows of chain stitch loop portionstherebetween is provided on said one face of said fabric.
 4. A nonwovenfabric, as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabric further includesan outer treated surface on said other face of said fabric formed bysaid second layer of foam material, said outer treated surfacecomprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured to said foam material andbeing of sufficient height and density to cover said rows of stitches onsaid other face of said fabric.
 5. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth inclaim 1, in which said fabric further includes an outer treated surfaceon said other face of said fabric formed by said second layer of foammaterial, said outer treated surface comprising upstanding, flockedfibers secured to said foam material and being disposed in a patternedarrangement thereon.
 6. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said fabric further includes a first outer treated surface on saidone face of said fabric by said first layer of nonwoven fibers, saidfirst outer treated surface comprising raised, napped fibers extendingfrom said first layer and being of sufficient height and density tocover said rows of stitches on said one face of said fabric; and asecond outer treated surface on said other face of said fabric formed bysaid second layer of foam material, said second outer treated surfacecomprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured to said foam material andbeing of sufficient height and density to cover said rows of stitches onsaid other face of said fabric.
 7. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth inclaim 1, in which said fabric further includes a first outer treatedsurface on said one face of said fabric formed by said first layer ofnonwoven fibers, said first outer treated surface being formed by saidrows of stitches comprising Closely spaced-apart, parallel, exposed rowsof chain stitch loop portions on said one face of said fabric andcompressing said one face of said fabric along said rows to formcorresponding depressed areas therealong, the portions of said face ofsaid fabric between said rows of chain stitch loop portions beingsubstantially uncompressed and defining spaced, parallel, raised ribs sothat a ribbed surface with exposed rows of chain stitch loop portionstherebetween is provided on said one face of said fabric; and a secondouter treated surface on said other face of said fabric formed by saidsecond layer of foam material, said second outer treated surfacecomprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured to said foam material andbeing of sufficient height and density to cover said rows of stitches onsaid other face of said fabric.
 8. A nonwoven fabric, as set forth inclaim 1, in which said fabric further includes a first outer treatedsurface on said one face of said fabric formed by said first layer ofnonwoven fibers, said first outer treated surface being formed by saidrows of stitches comprising closely spaced-apart, parallel, exposed rowsof chain stitch loop portions on said one face of said fabric andcompressing said one face of said fabric along said rows to formcorresponding depressed areas therealong, the portions of said face ofsaid fabric between said rows of chain stitch loop portions beingsubstantially uncompressed and defining spaced, parallel, raised ribs sothat a ribbed surface with exposed rows of chain stitch loop portionstherebetween is provided on said one face of said fabric; and a secondouter treated surface on said other face of said fabric formed by saidsecond layer of foam material, said second outer treated surfacecomprising upstanding, flocked fibers secured to said foam material andbeing disposed in a patterned arrangement thereon.
 9. A nonwoven fabric,as set forth in claim 1, in which said fabric further includes a firstouter treated surface on said one face of said fabric formed by saidfirst layer of nonwoven fibers, said first outer treated surfacecomprising raised, napped fibers extending from said first layer andbeing of sufficient height and density to cover said rows of stitches onsaid one face of said fabric; and a second outer treated surface on saidother face of said fabric formed by said second layer of foam material,said second outer treated surface comprising upstanding, flocked fiberssecured to said foam material and being disposed in a patternedarrangement thereon.